Black Magic camera settings for iPhone/ Android

Due to popular demand, i made this Blackmagic camera entry guide for y’all! Let me know if you have any questions and what you’d like to know more about!

Step 1: Set Resolution and Codec

1. Open the Blackmagic Camera app on your iPhone.

2. Tap on the Settings icon (usually a gear icon).

3. Select Resolution – For the highest quality, choose 4K. This resolution captures the most detail and makes your videos look sharp. If you need to save space, you can use 1080p (HD), but 4K is ideal for professional-looking footage.( what i recommend)

4. Choose Codec – Set it to ProRes for high-quality footage (ideal if you plan to edit), or H.264 if you need smaller file sizes for easier sharing.

Step 2: Adjust Frame Rate for Smoothness

1. Go back to the main screen and tap on the frame rate option (often labeled “fps”).

2. For a cinematic look, select 24fps (frames per second). This frame rate is what most movies use and gives your video a natural, film-like feel.

3. If you want smoother footage (ideal for fast-moving subjects or sports), choose 30fps or 60fps. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the motion will appear.

Step 3: Manually Set ISO and Shutter Speed

1. Tap the ISO icon to adjust the brightness of your footage.

• For bright outdoor settings, set ISO between 100-200 to keep the image crisp.

• For darker settings, increase ISO to around 800-1600, but be cautious—higher ISO can introduce grain (noise) into your footage.

2. Tap the Shutter Speed icon (or look for “Shutter” in settings).

• Follow the 180-degree rule: Set shutter speed to double your frame rate. For example, if you’re shooting at 24fps, set the shutter speed to 1/48. This keeps motion looking natural and avoids choppiness or excessive motion blur.

Step 4: Set White Balance for Accurate Colors

1. On the main screen, tap the WB icon (White Balance).

2. Choose a preset that matches your lighting conditions:

• Daylight for outdoor shooting in sunlight.

• Tungsten for indoor shots with warm, yellow lighting.

• Fluorescent for cooler, bluish indoor lights.

3. Lock the white balance to prevent unwanted color shifts during filming. This ensures consistent color accuracy throughout your footage.

Step 5: Use Zebra Patterns to Perfect Exposure

1. Tap Settings > Zebra Patterns and set it around 90-100%.

2. Zebra patterns will appear as diagonal lines on overexposed (too bright) areas of your video.

3. Adjust your exposure (by lowering ISO or adjusting shutter speed) until the zebras only appear on the brightest parts of your shot, like reflections or highlights. This ensures your footage isn’t too bright or losing detail.

Step 6: Lock Focus for Crisp Footage

1. Frame your subject, then tap and hold on your subject until “AF Lock” appears. This locks the focus on that subject, keeping it sharp and preventing the camera from refocusing if something else moves in the shot.

2. Focus lock is essential for maintaining a clean, professional look, especially in videos where the subject stays in one spot.

Step 7: Stabilize Your Footage

To make your footage look even more professional, try to keep your camera steady. Use a tripod or a gimbal for stabilization. If you don’t have one, keep your elbows close to your body and move the camera slowly to avoid shaky footage.

Step 8: Edit Your Footage for the Final Touch

1. Once you’ve captured your footage, use a video editing app like DaVinci Resolve, iMovie, or Final Cut Pro to fine-tune your video.

2. In editing, you can adjust things like brightness, contrast, and color to give your footage a polished, professional feel. You can also trim your clips, add music, and enhance the overall flow of your video.

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